Disco de Rasputina: “How We Quit the Forest”

I have owned this album since it first came out and yet two years later I still play it constantly. A lot of people like their first album better, but I think this is more creative and unique. Melora's voice is beautiful and the cello arrangements are awesome. There's songs where the celloes sound like guitars! It also has great drum programming by ex-NIN member Chris Vrenna. I think my favorite song is "Watch TV" though I can safely say that this is one of those rare CDs where every song is awesome. Out of the hundreds of discs I own, this is one of my ten favorites. Absolutely beautiful.

I can't believe it. I'd listened to all of their other CD's before getting "How We Quit the Forest" because I was skeptical. It's out of print and the people who sell it ask a lot. I'm to big of a fan not to listen to it, so I finally got it and the moment I heard it I was in awe. "How We Quit the Forest" is the most mature albumn the band has produced, I think, and far surpases "Thanks for the Ether" and even "Frustration Plantation" which is amazing as well. How this incredible record went out of print is beyond me, because each song is more precious than the next.

"The Olde Headboard" The opening song is thrilling and done like a rock and roll band with distortions on the cellos (it all started here).

"Leechwife" is even better with the audience in the background roaring and getting your blood pumping. They sing here about learning the trade of sucking out illnesses via leech. Very clever.

"You Don't Own Me" I believe is a remake about a girl telling her guy to lighten up! Groovy any mellow and very smart!

"New Zero" a curious story of being differnt in this world through the eyes of a... Werewolf of some sort?

The CD's best moments are it's thoughtful pieces though, like the story of "Rose K." An old woman who has lost her memory, the song states perfectly "They say that a rose is a flower and that it is red; it blooms, it grows, it wilts and then it is...dead."

"Dwarf Star" A tale of the Dwarf star, who was rude and not very nice. A strange song, expiremental, but it grows on you despite the weird vocals and cello parts.

"Signs of the Zodiac" Is one of my favorites. It's from the P.O.V. of one watching a grieving person and telling them that we can't predict what is going to happen and that we need accept help when bad things do happen.

"Trenchmouth" The story of a brother who went missing, he worked for the FDA. Catchy and fast, very good. One of the hippist songs on the CD, I don't know a person who doens't like this one.

"Herb Girls of Birkenou" Sad and creepy. My friend described it as a funeral march, but I think it's more than that. It's a question on how such terrible things can happen as what happened to the herb girls. Also it's very pretty and dramatic. Nice!

"Mayfly" Oh fly of may, you live one day... Peppy, simple, the optomistic music and the simple lyrics flow together wonderfully to form almost a sense of waste. Very pretty and fun.

"Christian Soldiers" Ah, an essay to the tune of the hymn, this song tells of the midevil exocists and their practices, accompanied by a possesed voice telling them "no! Nooo!" Creepy and addictive @_@

"Things I'm Gonna Do" is another remake (positively) and is just PERFECT! The timing of calming the cellos and then errupting them in an explosion of entoxicating strains if brilliant. The vocals on this piece are also done exceptionally well.

"Diamond Mind" Is a witty bit that makes a man pray his wife never becomes like the obsessed woman screaming "Gimme the Goddamn Diamond!"

"How We Quit the Forest" is sad and realist at it's veiw of hard times, told via Ostrich, Egret and Peacock (who should have brought good luck to the others).

"Watch T.V." Is the last and best song on the album. I would pay fifty dollars for this song alone it is so pretty and nostolgic- along with being one of the few modern themed songs of Rasputina. The song is about someone watching the television to find the person they love, but they've disappeared and are lost. Touching and done with beautiful piano work this song makes this albumn complete and by far tips the scales to make it their best.

This by far one of my all-time favorite albums. It is ECSTACY. Eclectic, beautiful, intelligent, and witty. A mixture of cello, samples, and electronica, with Creager's cosmic vibrato and lyrics heavy with historical allusions and poetic imagery.

Rasputina are oftentimes tongue-in-cheek with tracks such as You Don't Own Me & of course the DeBeer's parody. The cellos sound at times elegant, or mournful, then slicing and absolutely ass-kicking.

I wish I weren't limited to only 5 stars.

Finally, I have the second album from Rasputina. I wasn't really sure what to expect from this album having owned and listened to all of their other albums before being able to purchase this one. Having listened to it fully, I can honestly say that 'How We Quit the Forest' is a high-class, beautiful album full of wonderful songs that will make you laugh, possibly cry, dance and enjoy to the fullest.

If your a fan of 'Thanks for the Ether', Rasputina's first album, you will definitely love the softer and more flowing sounds of 'The New Zero', 'Rose K.', 'Signs of the Zodiac' and 'Herb Girls of Birkenau'.

If your a 'Cabin Fever!' fan, you will definitely love the rocking vibe that emanates from songs like 'The Olde Headboard', 'Leechwife', 'Trenchmouth' and 'Things I'm Gonna Do'. Of course Melora has included some joke songs, which are 'Dwarf Star', 'Diamond Mind' and 'Christian Soldiers'.

All of the other songs...which only amounts to 'You Don't Own Me', 'Mayfly', 'How We Quit the Forest' and 'Watch T.V.' are what I like to call pure forest. You couldn't really mix them in with any other album. They sound beautiful on their own and they fit perfectly with the feel of the album itself. They have a sort of haunted quality to them. I swear I get misty every time I hear 'Watch T.V.'. It is such a wonderfully written and played song.

On this album, Melora really explored the notion of cellos as being able to sound like a guitar in many songs. I think it really shows how the band has grown over these past few years. They continue to produce good quality music that I will always enjoy.

Here's a quick synopsis of the songs on this album.

The Olde Headboard-3 stars This song has great lyrics and a beat you can really dance to.

Leechwife-3 stars This song is the first of the 'hard-core' songs you'll find on this album. It has quirky lyrics and a great melody.

You Don't Own Me-3 1/2 stars Excellent cover of a great song.

The New Zero-4 stars This song has such a haunting melody. You can't help but fall in love with this song.

Rose K.-3 1/2 stars Such a sad song with a beautiful tune and sweet lyrics.

DwarfStar-2 1/2 stars This song makes me laugh every time I hear Melora say famous.

Signs of the Zodiac-4 stars Also a beautiful song. Another chilling melody with wonderful lyrics and an interesting topic.

Trenchmouth-4 1/2 stars I absolutely love this song. It makes me laugh and I love the lyrics. They have a sort of 'Plantation' feel to them.

Herb Girls of Birkenau-4 stars Another song that gets me teary. If you really listen to the lyrics and hear the music in your head, you can almost picture the scene. It's amazing.

Mayfly-3 stars Another silly song. It also gets me a giggling.

Christian Soldiers-2 stars The only reason I give this song 2 stars instead of three is because its so short. I think Melora really could have taken off with this song.

Things I'm Gonna Do-3 1/2 stars The lyrics alone give this song a point. They are quirky and beautiful all at the same time. And the rocking melody really makes you want to dance.

Diamond Mind-3 stars This song is a perfect insight into the mind of any woman. So enjoy.

How We Quit The Forest-4 stars Being the title song, it has a lot to live up to. But it fills the shoes of the role perfectly.

Watch T.V.-5 stars This is my favorite song on the whole album. It is soft and rocking, beautiful and quirky all at the same time. During the verses, it is a slow quiet song. But the bridge is loud and harsh while still keeping the lovely sound of the rest of the song. A perfect finish!

To sum up, this album is a perfect example of the variety of Rasputina's work and talent. A definite must for any fan or for anyone looking to become a fan.

Many friends of mine say that this CD is not as fulfilling as Rasputina's previous album, "Ether." In all fairness these friends stink. True art cannot be manufactured and replicated: they have to be appreciated for what they are. With this album, I found the lyricism, melodies, postponement of musical gratifications and awesome work with the cello very pleasing. Melora Creager raises hell. "The Ice Hotel" inspired me to begin a novella using the intense imagery of the piece. A great effort, at once humorous, wild, and mystical. I hope Melora starts recording again very soon.